Three New Species of Microfungi for the Mycobiota of Uzbekistan

This study reports the identification of three previously unrecorded micro-mycetous species in Uzbekistan: Stemphylium vesicarium, Phoma punctulata, and Monilinia johnsonii. These species were discovered through myco-logical analyses conducted in various regions of Uzbekistan, including the Nurata, Bobotog, and Northern Turkistan Mountain ranges. Stemphylium vesicarium, found on Tulipa turkestanica, is known to cause leaf blight. Phoma punctulata, which affects Colutea paulsenii, belongs to the widely distributed and significant Phoma genus, which includes several species that are important plant pathogens. Monilinia johnsonii was observed on Crataegus turkestanica and C. pontica, with its apothecia emerging in early spring and causing leaf damage. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Uzbekistan’s fungal biodiversity and highlights the importance of monitoring these newly identified pathogenic species for their potential impact on plant health. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive monitoring and control measures, particularly in mountainous regions where hawthorn species are predominant.